Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’, particularly selected for its upright architecture, fruit yield, fruit size, fruit appearance, shelf life, and relatively low cull rate, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ was discovered in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom in June of 2015 and originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘UUK 143-002’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘VUK 085-005’ (unpatented). The original seedling of the new variety was first asexually propagated in the Netherlands via stolons in July of 2015.

‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom for five years (2015 to 2020). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ was particularly selected for its upright architecture, fruit yield, fruit size, fruit appearance, shelf life, and relatively low cull rate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are nine to eleven months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom from 2015 to 2020. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ was taken from plants that were nine to eleven months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEightyEight’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘UUK 143-002’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘VUK 085-005’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—44.35 cm.         -   Diameter.—38 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—6.6.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Strong. -   Stolon:     -   -   Number of daughter plants per square foot.—13.5.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.79 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium to strong.         -   Stolon color with anthocyanin coloration.—RHS 145A (Strong             yellow green).         -   Density of pubescence.—Sparse. -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of upper surface.—RHS N134A (Dark yellowish green).         -   Color of lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow green).         -   Blistering.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Strong.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 10.9 cm. Width: 11.9 cm.             Length/width ratio: 0.9. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 17.5. Shape of base: Obtuse. Shape of apex:             Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate. Shape in cross section:             Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 38.3 cm. Diameter: 4.7 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 0. Color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow green).         -   Petiolule.—Length: 7.5 mm. Diameter: 3.04 mm. Surface             texture: Rugose. Color: RHS 145B (Light yellow green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 3.48 cm. Width: 9.8 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 39B (Deep yellowish             pink). Overall color: RHS 146D (Moderate yellow green). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers per plant.—31.9.         -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Above.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Length: 4 cm.             Diameter: 3 mm. Color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow green).         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 24.5 mm. Flower depth: 13 mm.             Arrangement of petals: Overlapping. Size of calyx in             relation to corolla: Same size. Stamen: Present.         -   Petal.—Length: 9.39 mm. Width: 10.74 mm. Length/width ratio:             0.9. Number of petals per flower: 5.3. Color of upper side:             RHS 155B (Yellowish white). Color of lower side: RHS 155C             (Greenish white). Texture of upper surface: Smooth. Texture             of lower surface: Smooth. Base shape: Rounded. Apex shape:             Concavo-convex. Margin type: Entire.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 21.4 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length: 4.91 mm. Width: 4.9 mm. Number of sepals per             flower: 5.3. Color of upper side: RHS 139B (Moderate             yellowish green). Color of lower side: RHS 141C (Strong             yellowish green). Texture of upper surface: Glabrous.             Texture of lower surface: Pubescent. Apex shape: Acuminate.             Margin type: Entire.         -   Flowering.—Flowering interval: Late April to mid-June. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 52.6 mm. Width: 44.9 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.1. Individual fruit weight: 28.4 g.         -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 24.6 mm. Width: 11.5 mm. Length/width             ratio: 2.1.         -   Shape.—Cordate.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or             very slight.         -   Fruit color.—RHS N34B (Strong reddish orange).         -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Absent or very narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.         -   Number of achenes per fruit.—250.         -   Achene color.—RHS 11A (Brilliant yellow).         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Inserted.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly             smaller.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Medium.         -   Firmness.—Firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS N45B (Moderate red).         -   Color of core.—RHS 42C (Strong reddish orange).         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Early May to late June. Type of             bearing: Not remontant. Productivity: 0.640 kg of fruit per             plant per season from nine- to eleven-month-old plants when             grown in East Malling, Kent, United Kingdom.         -   Storage characteristics (post-harvest             characteristics).—Following harvest, fruit can be stored for             7-10 days if maintained under cooled temperatures that are             standard for strawberry storage. -   Resistance to diseases:     -   -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Susceptible.         -   Verticillium wilt (verticillium dahliae).—Moderately             susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘UUK 143-002’ (unpatented) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ are more productive when compared with plants of ‘UUK 143-002’. In addition, fruit of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ is much larger than fruit of ‘UUK 143-002’.

‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘VUK 085-005’ (unpatented) in that plants of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ are higher yielding and produce significantly less culls (non-marketable fruit) when compared with plants of ‘VUK 085-005’. Further, fruit of ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ are larger, sweeter, and have a significantly improved shelf life when compared with fruit of ‘VUK 085-005’.

‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,896) in that ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ has improved yield and shelf life when compared to ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’. Further, ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ has an inserted position of calyx attachment on fruit, inflorescence above foliage, an overlapping arrangement of flower petals, and a cordate shape of fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawSeventyTwo’ has a position of calyx attachment that is level with fruit, inflorescence same level as foliage, a free arrangement of flower petals, and a conical shape of fruit. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightyEight’ as shown and described herein. 